Alabama

Tony Mitchell injury update

Tony Mitchell went down hard late in Alabama's 78-51 loss Tuesday night at Florid, but the Crimson Tide's dynamic sophomore forward was not injured seriously.

Mitchell suffered a bruised elbow but should be able to practice Thursday and Friday, and he is expected to start at 12:30 p.m. Saturday in Alabama's regular-season finale at home against Georgia, a team spokesman said.

The Tide still can tie Florida for the SEC regular-season championship with a victory over the Bulldogs and a Vanderbilt victory over the Gators later Saturday.

Mitchell played 36 minutes Tuesday and compiled 14 points and eight rebounds. he sank 6 of 13 shots from the field..

With 4:32 left in the second half Tuesday, Mitchell was fouled hard by Florida's Vernon Macklin and crashed to the court under Alabama's basket. He was helped to the Alabama bench but came back into the game a little more than one minute later. After Mitchell's injury, the Tide only scored five points, on a 3-pointer by Trevor Releford and a fast-break layup by Mitchell with 1:56 left.

Mitchell ranks second on the team in scoring (15.6 ppg) and rebounding (7.1 per game).